EP3749456B1 - Device for locking a volume adjustment screw for a pipetting system - Google Patents

Device for locking a volume adjustment screw for a pipetting system Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3749456B1
EP3749456B1 EP19742820.4A EP19742820A EP3749456B1 EP 3749456 B1 EP3749456 B1 EP 3749456B1 EP 19742820 A EP19742820 A EP 19742820A EP 3749456 B1 EP3749456 B1 EP 3749456B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
wheel
teeth
selector
control member
track
Prior art date
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Active
Application number
EP19742820.4A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3749456A1 (en
Inventor
Hervé MALVOISIN
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Gilson SAS
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Gilson SAS
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Priority to PL19742820T priority Critical patent/PL3749456T3/en
Publication of EP3749456A1 publication Critical patent/EP3749456A1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
    • B01L3/02—Burettes; Pipettes
    • B01L3/021—Pipettes, i.e. with only one conduit for withdrawing and redistributing liquids
    • B01L3/0217—Pipettes, i.e. with only one conduit for withdrawing and redistributing liquids of the plunger pump type
    • B01L3/0224—Pipettes, i.e. with only one conduit for withdrawing and redistributing liquids of the plunger pump type having mechanical means to set stroke length, e.g. movable stops
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F11/00—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it
    • G01F11/02—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement
    • G01F11/021—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement of the piston type
    • G01F11/023—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement of the piston type with provision for varying the stroke of the piston
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/02—Adapting objects or devices to another
    • B01L2200/021—Adjust spacings in an array of wells, pipettes or holders, format transfer between arrays of different size or geometry
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/02—Adapting objects or devices to another
    • B01L2200/025—Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/08—Ergonomic or safety aspects of handling devices
    • B01L2200/087—Ergonomic aspects
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/14—Process control and prevention of errors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of pipetting systems such as automated pipetting systems called robots, or even more preferentially single-channel or multi-channel sampling pipettes, also called laboratory pipettes, or alternatively displacement liquid transfer pipettes. air, intended for the calibrated sampling and introduction of liquid into containers.
  • pipettes whether manual, motorized or hybrid, are intended to be held in the hand by an operator during the liquid withdrawal and dispensing operations.
  • the invention relates more particularly to the means implemented to adjust the volume of liquid to be withdrawn.
  • a volume adjustment screw to be sampled which is controlled in rotation by a control button of the pipette, via a control rod connecting this button to the volume adjustment screw.
  • the pipette has a counter designed to display very precise volume values, for example a four-digit counter
  • setting the pipette to a given value can sometimes be tricky.
  • the last digit of the counter is generally associated with a drum whose rotation can be faster than that of the pipette control button actuated by the operator, hence the difficulty of reaching the desired precise value.
  • the document US 5,892,161 describes a known example of a pipette comprising means for adjusting the volume of liquid to be withdrawn provided with a system for maintaining the volume adjusting screw.
  • the documents EP 1,514,600 and FR 3,040,896 describe known examples of pipettes comprising means for adjusting the volume of liquid to be withdrawn provided with a system for locking the volume adjusting screw.
  • this clutch system can alternatively be made inactive, active and locked.
  • the teeth of the toothed wheels do not cooperate and thus do not exert any resistance to the rotation of the adjustment screw. In this position, a wide range of volume can be swept, without special efforts.
  • the teeth of the toothed wheels cooperate with one another, but they are capable of disengaging and then re-engaging in a relative position different from the two wheels. This position makes it easy to reach a precise desired volume value, in particular at the end of the adjustment.
  • the invention preferably has at least one of the following optional characteristics, taken individually or in combination.
  • the first, second and third track portions are arranged in this order in a circumferential direction. Nevertheless, a different circumferential order could be adopted, without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • the track has a slope-shaped transition zone between the first and second track portions, and the second track portion is located axially at the same level as the third track portion.
  • the stop element forms, with the third track portion, a slot open circumferentially on the side of the second track portion, and closed on the opposite side by a slot bottom.
  • the control member comprises several tracks spaced circumferentially from one another, each cooperating with a radial lug of the locking wheel.
  • the control member is preferably annular.
  • control member and the selector are made in one piece, or by two separate parts coupled in rotation. This latter configuration facilitates assembly of the pipetting system.
  • This preferred configuration thus has the particularity of using a clutch mechanism to maintain the volume adjustment screw in different positions.
  • the number of these distinct positions can be extremely large, without however encountering manufacturing problems. Indeed, by providing a second toothed wheel with several concentric annular rows of second teeth, and by angularly shifting these teeth within each overlap zone, it is possible to maintain the adjustment screw in many positions without encountering of problem feasibility of these teeth.
  • the invention proves to be particularly clever in comparison with a solution providing only a single annular row of teeth on the second wheel, even if this solution also falls within the scope of the invention. Indeed, to achieve the same number of holding positions as with the invention, this second wheel would then have to have teeth of very small dimensions within the single row, which may prove to be difficult to manufacture.
  • each of the N overlap sectors of the second toothed wheel has the same pitch P between its second teeth, and the angular offset between any two directly consecutive overlap sectors, among said N sectors, has a P / N value.
  • the first toothed wheel has a single annular row of first teeth, having the same pitch P between the first teeth.
  • N is preferably equal to two, but it could be greater, without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • Said second wheel has several areas of overlap of teeth, spaced circumferentially from one another, the number of these areas of overlap preferably being greater than three.
  • Each annular row of second teeth has toothed portions spaced circumferentially by non-toothed portions, and the overlapping sectors are formed at the ends of the toothed portions.
  • the subject of the invention is also a pipetting system comprising a volume adjustment screw, as well as such a device for locking this screw.
  • the system is preferably a sampling pipette, preferably manual, but the invention can be applied to any other pipetting system listed above.
  • the system has a four-digit counter.
  • the position selector has an outer gripping portion arranged around a control rod of the pipetting system.
  • the system is preferably designed to warn of the passage of the selector in each of its three positions, preferably by clicks.
  • Each radial lug of the locking wheel passes radially through the control member of the control system, to be slidably housed in a corresponding longitudinal groove of the fixed part of the pipetting system.
  • the free adjustment position of the selector is offset, in a circumferential direction, by an angular value of between 15 and 30 ° relative to the fine adjustment position, and the locking position is offset, in one direction. opposite circumferential, with an angular value between 15 and 30 ° with respect to the fine adjustment position.
  • FIG. 1 With reference first to the figure 1 , there is shown a manual and single-channel sampling pipette 1, according to the invention.
  • the invention is not limited to such a pipette, but it applies in a similar manner to multichannel pipettes or to any other pipetting system, manual, motorized or hybrid.
  • the pipette 1 with air displacement here manual, comprises in the upper part a body forming a handle 2, as well as a lower part 4 intended to integrate at its lower end a sampling cone holder tip (not shown).
  • This tip is designed to carry a cone, also called consumable and intended to be ejected from the tip by an ejector system 6, once the pipetting operations have been completed.
  • the pipette 1 comprises a control button 8 intended to be actuated by the thumb of an operator, in order to carry out the various pipetting operations such as withdrawing the liquid, and its dispensation.
  • the button 8 is mounted on the upper end of a control rod 10 intended to be moved in translation during the aforementioned pipetting steps, along a longitudinal central axis 12 of the pipette.
  • the button 8 is rotatably coupled to the rod 10, just as the latter has a lower end cooperating with a volume adjustment screw 14. This cooperation is carried out such that a rotation of the control rod 10 causes a rotation of the screw 14 along its own axis, preferably coincident with the longitudinal central axis 12 of the pipette.
  • the rotation of the adjustment screw 14 causes its translation along the axis 12, or the translation of another part, in order to axially move a piston housed in a suction chamber of the lower part 4 of the pipette. It is the adjustment of the high position of this piston which makes it possible to influence the volume withdrawn subsequently during pipetting.
  • the figures 2 and 4 show that the volume adjustment screw 14 rotates a counter 20, intended to display the value of the volume adjusted through a window 7 (referenced on the figure 1 ) of handle 2.
  • This counter 20 is here a four-digit counter, also called a “four-digit counter”. This type of counter provides very high accuracy compared to counters comprising fewer digits, for example compared to a counter with only three digits.
  • the counter 20 first of all comprises a gear system equipped with an external toothed wheel 22 centered on the axis 12, directly driven in rotation by the adjusting screw 14.
  • This drive is carried out for example via a lug projecting inwardly from the wheel 22, and housed in a longitudinal groove 24 of the screw 14.
  • This wheel 22 meshes with another eccentric wheel 26 with external toothing, which itself meshes with a toothing provided on a fourth drum 28d of the counter, providing information on the fourth set volume figure.
  • the fourth drum 28d visible on the figure 5 , rotates at a high speed relative to the control knob, for example at a speed five times higher.
  • the counter also comprises a first drum 28a, a second drum 28b, as well as a third drum 28c providing information respectively on the first, second and third digits of the adjusted volume.
  • These drums 28a-28d are superimposed along the axis 12, and train each other in a known manner, via movement transmission members 30.
  • the precision of such a counter 20 is associated with the implementation of a system specific to the invention, allowing the adjustment screw 14 to be held / locked, once the latter has been brought into the precise position. leading to the desired volume value.
  • This system 32 of a clutch type, also allows easy movement of the screw 14 between different positions, when it is rotated to change the volume setpoint to be withdrawn.
  • the system 32 proves to be particularly advantageous in that it enables the operator to help the operator to precisely set the last digit of the volume to the desired value, despite the high speed of rotation of the fourth drum observed during the rotation of the control knob. of the pipette.
  • the volume adjustment ergonomics are greatly improved.
  • the system 32 for maintaining in position generally comprises a first toothed wheel 34 cooperating with a second toothed wheel 36, and a compression spring 38 biasing against one another the two coaxial wheels 34, 36 centered on the axis 12.
  • the first wheel 34 the one located uppermost on the pipette, has first teeth 40 which extend axially downward.
  • This wheel 34 is fixed in rotation with respect to the handle 2, via radial lugs 42 spaced circumferentially and projecting outwardly from the wheel.
  • Each lug 42 is slidably housed in a longitudinal groove 44 of the inner surface of the handle 2, as shown diagrammatically for one of them on the figure 3 .
  • the first wheel 34 thus remains fixed in rotation in the handle 2, but mobile in translation inside the latter, along the axis 12.
  • the second wheel 36 has second teeth 46 which extend axially upwards.
  • This second wheel 36 is carried by a ring 48, or a barrel, the lower end of which comprises a rotational coupling means 50 traversed by the adjustment screw 14.
  • the means 50 ensures a rotational coupling with the screw 14 by complementarity. shape, for example by the presence of a flat or a similar element.
  • the wheel 36 thus remains controlled in rotation by the adjustment screw 14, and remains fixed in translation. This last feature is obtained by resting the ring 48 on a lower stop 54 attached to the inside of the handle 2, and / or by resting the wheel 36 on an inner shoulder 57 of this handle.
  • the spring 38 for its part, applies pressure to the upper part of the first wheel 34, via a lower end of the spring housed in an upper groove of this wheel.
  • the axial force developed by the spring 38 thus tends the first wheel 34 to move downward and to press against the second wheel 36 which remains fixed in translation, with the consequence of bringing the first and second teeth 40 into cooperation, 46.
  • first wheel 34 its first axial teeth 40 are arranged within a single annular row 56, which is centered on the axis 12 and preferably continuous over 360 °.
  • the number of teeth 40 can for example be of the order of fifty, with a regular pitch P provided between these same teeth 40.
  • the second wheel 36 for its part comprises two annular rows, or else a greater number of rows. However, in the preferred embodiment which is described, this number is fixed to two concentric annular rows 58a, 58b, centered on the axis 12.
  • the first row 58a is discontinuous. This implies that it is formed by toothed portions 60a each corresponding to an arc of a circle provided with teeth 46. These toothed portions 60a are circumferentially spaced from one another, preferably in a regular manner. Between these, non-toothed portions 62a are provided, corresponding to recessed portions.
  • the first annular row 58a comprises four toothed portions 60a of approximately ten teeth each, as well as four non-toothed portions 62a having substantially the same angular extent as the toothed portions 60a.
  • the second row 58b corresponding to the inner row, is discontinuous. This implies that it is formed by toothed portions 60b each corresponding to an arc of a circle provided with teeth 46. These toothed portions 60b are circumferentially spaced from one another, preferably in a regular manner. Between these, non-toothed portions 62b are provided, corresponding to recessed portions.
  • the second annular row 58b comprises four toothed portions 60b of approximately ten teeth each, as well as four non-toothed portions 62b having substantially the same angular extent as the toothed portions 60b.
  • each toothed portion 60a, 60b are arranged in phase shift, so that each toothed portion 60a is located essentially radially facing a non-toothed portion 62b of the second row 58b, just as each toothed portion 60b is located essentially radially facing a non-toothed portion 62a of the first row 58a.
  • the pitch between the teeth 46 of each toothed portion 60a, 60 is the same pitch P as for the teeth 40 of the first wheel 34.
  • tooth overlap zones are formed, these zones being referenced 64 on the figure. figure 8 .
  • Each overlap zone 64 is formed by an overlap sector 66a corresponding to one end of one of the toothed portions 60a, as well as by an overlap sector 66b corresponding to one end of one of the toothed portions 60b.
  • the two sectors 66a, 66b are thus radially facing one another, to form one of the overlap zones 64 here provided eight in number, regularly spaced from one another.
  • the number of teeth per sector 66a, 66b is for example between two and five.
  • each first tooth 40 which is in cooperation with one of the overlap zones 64 of the second wheel 36, is thus in contact on the one hand with one of the teeth 46 of the sector 66a of this zone, and in contact on the other hand with one of the teeth 46 of the sector 66b of this same overlap zone 64.
  • This feature has been shown in the figure. figure 9 , as well as on the bottom of the figure 8 schematically showing a first tooth 40 in contact with two directly consecutive teeth 46 in the circumferential direction, and belonging respectively to the two sectors 66a, 66b.
  • each first tooth 40 is for example substantially twice as great as the radial length of each second tooth 46, which makes it possible to establish two contact surfaces 70a, 70b between a first tooth 40, and the two directly consecutive teeth 46 within the overlap zone 64.
  • these surfaces 70a, 70b visible on the bottom of the figure 8 , are arranged on the upper part of the teeth 46. This is explained by the phase shift practiced between the teeth 46 of the two sectors 66a, 66b, which has the consequence that the first teeth 40 do not fully penetrate into the hollows formed between the second teeth 46.
  • the number of possible positions for the same first tooth 40 relative to the wheel 46 corresponds substantially to double the number of second teeth 46 in each overlap sector 66a, 66b forming this zone 64.
  • the adjustment screw 14 can be indexed in dozens of different angular positions, with each of these positions being stable and precise. , due to a cooperation that is different each time between the first and second teeth 40, 46.
  • the precision of the volume adjustment is advantageously increased, without this affecting the ease of manufacture of the toothed wheels 34, 36. These can for example easily be produced by plastic injection, while maintaining a satisfactory quality of teeth.
  • the control system 74 comprises two distinct parts, both annular and superimposed along the axis 12 on which they are centered. It is first of all a position selector 82, designed to be moved in rotation along the axis 12 between three positions, including a free adjustment position, a fine adjustment position, and finally a locking position. .
  • the selector 82 comprises an outer gripping portion 84 projecting axially upwards with respect to the handle 2, and arranged around the control rod 10.
  • This portion external grip 84 is in the form of a collar that can be easily gripped by an operator, between his thumb and index finger.
  • the portion 84 continues with an inner part 86 of the selector, made in one piece with the portion 84.
  • the inner part 86 housed in the handle 2, surrounds a part of the spring 38. At its lower end, it cooperates with the other part of the system 74, namely an annular control member 88 which surrounds the two toothed wheels 34, 36.
  • the two parts 82, 88 are coupled to one another in rotation, by means of protuberances 90 on a top end of the control member 88, housed in axial slots 92 on the bottom end of the selector 82.
  • the two parts 82, 88 are arranged so as to remain fixed in translation along the axis 12, while by being able to rotate together around the same axis.
  • the control member 88 cooperates with the first toothed wheel 34, constituting the locking wheel of the clutch system 32. This cooperation takes place via the radial lugs 42, which pass radially through the control member 88 so that their outer ends are slidably housed in the longitudinal grooves 44 of the handle 2.
  • Each radial lug 42 is associated with a track of the control member 88, being pressed against this track via the spring 38 which acts on the toothed wheel 34 carrying these lugs.
  • the number of radial pins 42 being four, there are thus provided four tracks on the control member 88, as shown in the figure. figure 10 .
  • each of the four tracks 94 extends over an angular sector of the member 88 which is slightly less than 90 °.
  • These four tracks 94 thus have identical shapes, and are designed to cooperate in an identical manner with their associated lugs, simultaneously. For this reason, the shape of only one of these tracks 94 will be described below.
  • Track 94 begins with a first portion of track 94a, corresponding to the highest portion of the track in the axial direction. To the right on the figure 10 , there is then provided a second portion of track 94b, which is axially offset from the first portion of track 94a, being located lower.
  • a transition zone 94 ' is arranged between the two portions 94a, 94b, this transition zone 94 'taking the form of a slope inclining downwards going from the first portion of track 94a, towards the second portion of track 94b.
  • a third portion of track 94c which is located axially at the same level and in the continuity of the second portion 94b.
  • a stop element 95 is arranged axially facing the third track portion 94c, being carried by the control member 88. With this third track portion 94c, the stop element 95 forms a slot 96 open circumferentially of the side where the second portion 94b is located. On the opposite side, the slot is closed by a slot bottom 97. Consequently, this configuration takes the form of a hook open circumferentially towards the second track portion 94b.
  • the locking device 80 is shown in different positions.
  • the figure 11a shows the selector 82 in a free adjustment position, bringing the radial lugs 42 onto the first portions of track 94a.
  • this first portion 94a maintains the locking wheel 34 upwards, in a position axially separated from the second toothed wheel.
  • This axial separation takes place by opposing the force developed by the spring 38 on this same locking toothed wheel 34, so that the first and second teeth do not cooperate with each other as described in reference. to the figure 9 .
  • the teeth no longer offer resistance to the rotation of the volume adjustment screw 14, a large volume range can be swept away, without special efforts on the part of the operator.
  • the ergonomics of the volume control are thereby advantageously improved.
  • the selector 82 in a fine adjustment position, bringing the radial lugs 42 on the second track portions 94b.
  • the spring 38 which presses the lugs 42 against the axially lower second track portion 94b, places the locking wheel 34 in cooperation with the second toothed wheel.
  • the first and second teeth of these wheels cooperate with each other, and passages from one tooth to another occur following the rotation of the screw 14, as part of a precise and ergonomic adjustment. It is in this adjustment position that the principle of switching from one tooth to another, as presented with reference to figures 7 to 9 , occurs.
  • control member 88 allows the locking wheel 34 to move away and then to move axially closer to the second wheel during a passage from one tooth to another caused by the rotation of this second wheel, being given that the lugs 42 are free to move axially upwards with the locking wheel 34.
  • each lug 42 is housed axially between the third portion of track 94c on which it is forced to bear by the spring 38, and the axial stop element 95, so as to be axially captive in the slot 96.
  • the elements stop 95 therefore block any axial upward movement of the lugs 42 and of the associated locking wheel 34, thereby preventing any disengagement of the first and second teeth. Therefore, the set volume cannot be changed.
  • This locking position is preferably adopted during pipetting operations, in order to prevent the operator from accidentally changing the target volume by rotating the control button, on which his thumb is resting.
  • the three positions are thus selected appropriately by the operator, depending on the desired setting.
  • the start of tuning can be done in the free tuning position to effortlessly sweep a large volume range, and then when approaching the target value, the fine tuning position can be adopted so as to easily reach this value. precise. Once this is reached, the selector can then be placed in the locked position, in order to avoid any accidental change of target volume, during subsequent pipetting operations.
  • the pipette 1 can be equipped with a system making it possible to visually inform the operator of the position of the selector 82.
  • the outer surface of the handle 2 or the outer grip portion 84 of the selector 82 has a cursor 98, while the other of these two elements has three references 99 respectively schematizing the three possible positions. It is the alignment of the cursor 98 with one of the marks 99 which allows the operator to determine the position in which the selector 82 is located.
  • the free adjustment position of the selector 82 is offset by an angular value between 15 and 30 ° from the fine adjustment position in the center.
  • the locking position is offset by an angular value of between 15 and 30 ° with respect to the fine adjustment position.
  • angular values are for example of the order of 20 °, corresponding to the angular displacement that the operator must subject to the selector 82, in order to pass from the central fine adjustment position to one of the two end positions of free adjustment or locking.

Description

DOMAINE TECHNIQUETECHNICAL AREA

La présente invention se rapporte au domaine des systèmes de pipetage tels que les systèmes automatisés de pipetage appelés robots, ou encore plus préférentiellement les pipettes de prélèvement monocanal ou multicanaux, également dénommées pipettes de laboratoire, ou encore pipettes de transfert de liquide à déplacement d'air, destinées au prélèvement et à l'introduction calibrés de liquide dans des récipients. De telles pipettes, qu'elles soient manuelles, motorisées ou hybrides, sont destinées à être tenues en main par un opérateur durant les opérations de prélèvement et de dispense de liquide.The present invention relates to the field of pipetting systems such as automated pipetting systems called robots, or even more preferentially single-channel or multi-channel sampling pipettes, also called laboratory pipettes, or alternatively displacement liquid transfer pipettes. air, intended for the calibrated sampling and introduction of liquid into containers. Such pipettes, whether manual, motorized or hybrid, are intended to be held in the hand by an operator during the liquid withdrawal and dispensing operations.

L'invention concerne plus particulièrement les moyens mis en œuvre pour régler le volume de liquide à prélever.The invention relates more particularly to the means implemented to adjust the volume of liquid to be withdrawn.

ETAT DE LA TECHNIQUE ANTERIEURESTATE OF THE PRIOR ART

Sur les pipettes conventionnelles, il est prévu une vis de réglage de volume à prélever, qui est commandée en rotation par un bouton de commande de la pipette, via une tige de commande reliant ce bouton à la vis de réglage de volume.On conventional pipettes, there is provided a volume adjustment screw to be sampled, which is controlled in rotation by a control button of the pipette, via a control rod connecting this button to the volume adjustment screw.

Lorsque la pipette comporte un compteur conçu pour afficher des valeurs très précises de volume, par exemple un compteur à quatre chiffres, le réglage de la pipette sur une valeur donnée peut parfois s'avérer délicat. En effet, le dernier chiffre du compteur est généralement associé à un tambour dont la rotation peut être plus rapide que celle du bouton de commande de pipette actionné par l'opérateur, d'où la difficulté d'atteindre la valeur précise souhaitée.When the pipette has a counter designed to display very precise volume values, for example a four-digit counter, setting the pipette to a given value can sometimes be tricky. Indeed, the last digit of the counter is generally associated with a drum whose rotation can be faster than that of the pipette control button actuated by the operator, hence the difficulty of reaching the desired precise value.

Pour répondre à cette problématique, il peut être envisagé l'adjonction d'un système de maintien de la vis de réglage de volume, dans différentes positions de cette vis. Si ce système de maintien permet de plus facilement atteindre la valeur précise de volume souhaité, il oppose néanmoins une résistance mécanique non-négligeable durant la rotation de la vis. Cette résistance, qui est donc profitable pour effectuer des ajustements précis de volume, peut en revanche s'avérer contraignante lorsque le réglage implique de balayer une grande plage de volume.To respond to this problem, it is possible to envisage adding a system for maintaining the volume adjustment screw, in different positions of this screw. If this holding system makes it easier to reach the precise value of the desired volume, it nevertheless opposes a not insignificant mechanical resistance during the rotation of the screw. This resistance, which is therefore beneficial for making precise volume adjustments, can, on the other hand, prove to be restrictive when the adjustment involves sweeping a large volume range.

Le document US 5 892 161 décrit un exemple connu de pipette comprenant des moyens de réglage du volume de liquide à prélever dotés d'un système de maintien de la vis de réglage de volume. Les documents EP 1 514 600 et FR 3 040 896 décrivent des exemples connus de pipettes comprenant des moyens de réglage du volume de liquide à prélever dotés d'un système de verrouillage de la vis de réglage de volume.The document US 5,892,161 describes a known example of a pipette comprising means for adjusting the volume of liquid to be withdrawn provided with a system for maintaining the volume adjusting screw. The documents EP 1,514,600 and FR 3,040,896 describe known examples of pipettes comprising means for adjusting the volume of liquid to be withdrawn provided with a system for locking the volume adjusting screw.

EXPOSÉ DE L'INVENTIONDISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Pour répondre au moins partiellement à ces inconvénients, l'invention a tout d'abord pour objet un dispositif de verrouillage d'une vis de réglage de volume pour un système de pipetage, le dispositif de verrouillage comprenant :

  • d'une part un système à crabotage de maintien en position de la vis de réglage, le système comportant :
    • une première roue dentée comprenant des premières dents ;
    • une seconde roue dentée comprenant des secondes dents, ladite première roue dentée étant une roue de blocage destinée à être fixe en rotation par rapport à une pièce fixe du système de pipetage, et la seconde roue étant destinée à être solidaire en rotation de la vis de réglage, ou inversement ;
    • des moyens élastiques de rappel capables de rappeler les première et seconde roues l'une contre l'autre afin de faire coopérer les premières dents avec les secondes dents,
  • et d'autre part un système de commande du système de maintien à crabotage, le système de commande comportant :
    • un sélecteur de positions conçu pour être déplacé en rotation selon un axe central longitudinal du système de pipetage, entre trois positions parmi lesquelles une position de réglage libre, une position de réglage fin, et une position de verrouillage ;
    • un organe de commande solidaire en rotation du sélecteur de positions, l'organe de commande coopérant avec ladite roue de blocage du système à crabotage de manière à ce que :
      1. a) lorsque le sélecteur se trouve en position de réglage libre, l'organe de commande maintient la roue de blocage écartée axialement de l'autre roue du système à crabotage, en s'opposant à l'effort développé par les moyens élastiques de rappel, de sorte que les premières et secondes dents ne coopèrent pas les unes avec les autres ;
      2. b) lorsque le sélecteur se trouve en position de réglage fin, l'organe de commande autorise la roue de blocage à s'écarter puis à se rapprocher axialement de l'autre roue lors d'un passage d'une dent à une autre provoqué par la rotation de cette autre roue ; et
      3. c) lorsque le sélecteur se trouve en position de verrouillage, l'organe de commande bloque axialement ladite roue de blocage de façon à interdire le désengagement des premières et secondes dents.
To at least partially respond to these drawbacks, the invention firstly relates to a device for locking a volume adjustment screw for a pipetting system, the locking device comprising:
  • on the one hand, a clutch system for maintaining the adjustment screw in position, the system comprising:
    • a first toothed wheel comprising first teeth;
    • a second toothed wheel comprising second teeth, said first toothed wheel being a locking wheel intended to be fixed in rotation with respect to a fixed part of the pipetting system, and the second wheel being intended to be integral in rotation with the screw of adjustment, or vice versa;
    • elastic return means capable of returning the first and second wheels one against the other in order to make the first teeth cooperate with the second teeth,
  • and on the other hand a control system for the dog clutch maintenance system, the control system comprising:
    • a position selector designed to be moved in rotation along a longitudinal central axis of the pipetting system, between three positions among which a free adjustment position, a fine adjustment position, and a locking position;
    • a control member integral in rotation with the position selector, the control member cooperating with said locking wheel of the clutch system so that:
      1. a) when the selector is in the free adjustment position, the control member keeps the locking wheel axially separated from the other wheel of the clutch system, opposing the force developed by the elastic return means , so that the first and second teeth do not cooperate with each other;
      2. b) when the selector is in the fine adjustment position, the control member allows the locking wheel to move away then to move axially towards the other wheel during a change from one tooth to another caused by the rotation of this other wheel; and
      3. c) when the selector is in the locked position, the control member axially blocks said locking wheel so as to prevent the disengagement of the first and second teeth.

Grâce au système de commande qui contrôle le système à crabotage de maintien de la vis de réglage, ce système à crabotage peut alternativement être rendu inactif, actif, et verrouillé. Dans le premier cas, obtenu avec le sélecteur en position de réglage libre, les dents des roues dentées ne coopèrent pas et n'exercent ainsi aucune résistance à la rotation de la vis de réglage. Dans cette position, une grande plage de volume peut être balayée, sans efforts particuliers. Dans le second cas, obtenu avec le sélecteur en position de réglage fin, les dents des roues dentées coopèrent entre elles, mais elles sont capables de se désengager puis de se réengager dans une position relative différente des deux roues. Cette position permet de facilement atteindre une valeur précise de volume souhaité, en particulier en fin de réglage. Enfin, dans le troisième cas obtenu avec le sélecteur en position de verrouillage, les dents des roues dentées coopèrent entre elles, et elles ne peuvent pas se désengager. Par conséquent, le volume réglé ne peut être modifié, de sorte que cette position s'avère particulièrement intéressante à adopter durant les opérations de pipetage, pour éviter un changement non désiré de volume cible.Thanks to the control system which controls the clutch system for maintaining the adjustment screw, this clutch system can alternatively be made inactive, active and locked. In the first case, obtained with the selector in the free adjustment position, the teeth of the toothed wheels do not cooperate and thus do not exert any resistance to the rotation of the adjustment screw. In this position, a wide range of volume can be swept, without special efforts. In the second case, obtained with the selector in the fine adjustment position, the teeth of the toothed wheels cooperate with one another, but they are capable of disengaging and then re-engaging in a relative position different from the two wheels. This position makes it easy to reach a precise desired volume value, in particular at the end of the adjustment. Finally, in the third case obtained with the selector in the locked position, the teeth of the toothed wheels cooperate with one another, and they cannot disengage. Consequently, the set volume cannot be changed, so that this position is particularly advantageous to adopt during pipetting operations, to avoid an unwanted change in target volume.

L'invention présente de préférence au moins l'une des caractéristiques optionnelles suivantes, prises isolément ou en combinaison.The invention preferably has at least one of the following optional characteristics, taken individually or in combination.

La roue de blocage comporte au moins un ergot radial faisant saillie vers l'extérieur, et l'organe de commande comporte au moins une piste associée à chaque ergot radial, les moyens élastiques de rappel forçant l'ergot radial à s'appuyer contre sa piste associée, celle-ci comprenant :

  • une première portion de piste coopérant avec l'ergot radial lorsque le sélecteur se trouve en position de réglage libre ;
  • une seconde portion de piste coopérant avec l'ergot radial lorsque le sélecteur se trouve en position de réglage fin, la seconde portion de piste étant décalée axialement de la première portion de piste au sein de l'organe de commande ; et
  • une troisième portion de piste coopérant avec l'ergot radial lorsque le sélecteur se trouve en position de verrouillage, un élément de butée prévu sur l'organe de commande étant agencé en regard axialement de la troisième portion de piste, de manière à ce que l'ergot radial se situe axialement entre cet élément de butée, et la troisième portion de piste.
The locking wheel comprises at least one radial lug projecting outwardly, and the control member comprises at least one track associated with each radial lug, the elastic return means forcing the radial lug to rest against its associated track, this one comprising:
  • a first portion of track cooperating with the radial lug when the selector is in the free adjustment position;
  • a second track portion cooperating with the radial lug when the selector is in the fine adjustment position, the second track portion being offset axially from the first track portion within the control member; and
  • a third track portion cooperating with the radial lug when the selector is in the locking position, a stop element provided on the control member being arranged axially facing the third track portion, so that the 'radial lug is located axially between this stop element, and the third track portion.

Les première, seconde et troisième portions de piste sont agencées dans cet ordre selon une direction circonférentielle. Néanmoins, un ordre circonférentiel différent pourrait être adopté, sans sortir du cadre de l'invention.The first, second and third track portions are arranged in this order in a circumferential direction. Nevertheless, a different circumferential order could be adopted, without departing from the scope of the invention.

La piste comporte une zone de transition en forme de pente entre les première et seconde portions de piste, et la seconde portion de piste se situe axialement au même niveau que la troisième portion de piste.The track has a slope-shaped transition zone between the first and second track portions, and the second track portion is located axially at the same level as the third track portion.

L'élément de butée forme, avec la troisième portion de piste, une fente ouverte circonférentiellement du côté de la seconde portion de piste, et fermée du côté opposé par un fond de fente.The stop element forms, with the third track portion, a slot open circumferentially on the side of the second track portion, and closed on the opposite side by a slot bottom.

L'organe de commande comporte plusieurs pistes espacées circonférentiellement les unes des autres, chacune coopérant avec un ergot radial de la roue de blocage.The control member comprises several tracks spaced circumferentially from one another, each cooperating with a radial lug of the locking wheel.

L'organe de commande est préférentiellement annulaire.The control member is preferably annular.

L'organe de commande et le sélecteur sont réalisés d'un seul tenant, ou par deux pièces distinctes couplées en rotation. Cette dernière configuration facilite l'assemblage du système de pipetage.The control member and the selector are made in one piece, or by two separate parts coupled in rotation. This latter configuration facilitates assembly of the pipetting system.

De préférence,

  • lesdites secondes dents de la seconde roue forment un nombre N de rangées annulaires concentriques, le nombre N étant un entier supérieur ou égal à 2 et chaque rangée étant éventuellement discontinue,
  • ladite seconde roue présentent au moins une zone de recouvrement de dents dans laquelle les N rangées annulaires de secondes dents présentent respectivement N secteurs de recouvrement qui se recouvrent les uns les autres selon une direction radiale de la seconde roue, et
  • les secondes dents des N secteurs de recouvrement sont décalées angulairement les unes des autres de façon à ce qu'au moins l'une des premières dents de la première roue dentée puisse se trouver dans plusieurs positions relatives par rapport à la seconde roue, dans chacune desquelles cette première dent est au contact de l'une des secondes dents de l'un des N secteurs, et au contact de l'une des secondes dents d'un autre de ces N secteurs.
Preferably
  • said second teeth of the second wheel form a number N of concentric annular rows, the number N being an integer greater than or equal to 2 and each row optionally being discontinuous,
  • said second wheel have at least one tooth overlap zone in which the N annular rows of second teeth respectively have N overlap sectors which overlap each other in a radial direction of the second wheel, and
  • the second teeth of the N overlapping sectors are angularly offset from each other so that at least one of the first teeth of the first toothed wheel can be located in several relative positions with respect to the second wheel, in each of which this first tooth is in contact with one of the second teeth of one of the N sectors, and in contact with one of the second teeth of another of these N sectors.

Cette configuration préférée présente ainsi la particularité d'utiliser un mécanisme à crabotage pour maintenir la vis de réglage de volume dans différentes positions. Le nombre de ces positions distinctes peut être extrêmement important, sans pour autant se confronter à des problèmes de fabrication. En effet, en prévoyant une seconde roue dentée avec plusieurs rangées annulaires concentriques de secondes dents, et en procédant au décalage angulaire de ces dents en sein de chaque zone de recouvrement, il est possible de maintenir la vis de réglage dans de nombreuses positions sans rencontrer de problème faisabilité de ces dents. En d'autres termes, l'invention se révèle particulièrement astucieuse en comparaison d'une solution ne prévoyant qu'une rangée annulaire unique de dents sur la seconde roue, même si cette solution entre également dans le cadre de l'invention. Effectivement, pour atteindre le même nombre de positions de maintien qu'avec l'invention, cette seconde roue devrait alors présenter des dents de dimensions très faibles au sein de la rangée unique, pouvant s'avérer difficiles à fabriquer.This preferred configuration thus has the particularity of using a clutch mechanism to maintain the volume adjustment screw in different positions. The number of these distinct positions can be extremely large, without however encountering manufacturing problems. Indeed, by providing a second toothed wheel with several concentric annular rows of second teeth, and by angularly shifting these teeth within each overlap zone, it is possible to maintain the adjustment screw in many positions without encountering of problem feasibility of these teeth. In in other words, the invention proves to be particularly clever in comparison with a solution providing only a single annular row of teeth on the second wheel, even if this solution also falls within the scope of the invention. Indeed, to achieve the same number of holding positions as with the invention, this second wheel would then have to have teeth of very small dimensions within the single row, which may prove to be difficult to manufacture.

De préférence, chacun des N secteurs de recouvrement de la seconde roue dentée présente un même pas P entre ses secondes dents, et le décalage angulaire entre deux secteurs de recouvrement quelconques et directement consécutifs, parmi lesdits N secteurs, présente une valeur P/N.Preferably, each of the N overlap sectors of the second toothed wheel has the same pitch P between its second teeth, and the angular offset between any two directly consecutive overlap sectors, among said N sectors, has a P / N value.

La première roue dentée présente une unique rangée annulaire de premières dents, présentant le même pas P entre les premières dents.The first toothed wheel has a single annular row of first teeth, having the same pitch P between the first teeth.

Le nombre entier N est préférentiellement égal à deux, mais il pourrait être supérieur, sans sortir du cadre de l'invention.The integer number N is preferably equal to two, but it could be greater, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Ladite seconde roue présente plusieurs zones de recouvrement de dents, espacées circonférentiellement les unes des autres, le nombre de ces zones de recouvrement étant préférentiellement supérieur à trois.Said second wheel has several areas of overlap of teeth, spaced circumferentially from one another, the number of these areas of overlap preferably being greater than three.

Chaque rangée annulaire de secondes dents présente des portions dentées espacées circonférentiellement par des portions non dentées, et les secteurs de recouvrement sont formés aux extrémités des portions dentées.Each annular row of second teeth has toothed portions spaced circumferentially by non-toothed portions, and the overlapping sectors are formed at the ends of the toothed portions.

L'invention a également pour objet un système de pipetage comprenant une vis de réglage de volume, ainsi qu'un tel dispositif de verrouillage de cette vis. Le système est préférentiellement une pipette de prélèvement, de préférence manuelle, mais l'invention peut s'appliquer à tout autre système de pipetage énuméré ci-dessus.The subject of the invention is also a pipetting system comprising a volume adjustment screw, as well as such a device for locking this screw. The system is preferably a sampling pipette, preferably manual, but the invention can be applied to any other pipetting system listed above.

De préférence, le système comporte un compteur à quatre chiffres.Preferably, the system has a four-digit counter.

De préférence, le sélecteur de positions présente une portion extérieure de préhension agencée autour d'une tige de commande du système de pipetage.Preferably, the position selector has an outer gripping portion arranged around a control rod of the pipetting system.

Le système est préférentiellement conçu pour avertir du passage du sélecteur dans chacune de ses trois positions, de préférence par des clics.The system is preferably designed to warn of the passage of the selector in each of its three positions, preferably by clicks.

Chaque ergot radial de la roue de blocage traverse radialement l'organe de commande du système de commande, pour se loger coulissant dans une rainure longitudinale correspondante de la pièce fixe du système de pipetage.Each radial lug of the locking wheel passes radially through the control member of the control system, to be slidably housed in a corresponding longitudinal groove of the fixed part of the pipetting system.

Enfin, la position de réglage libre du sélecteur se trouve décalée, dans un sens circonférentiel, d'une valeur angulaire comprise entre 15 et 30° par rapport à la position de réglage fin, et la position de verrouillage se trouve décalée, dans un sens circonférentiel opposé, d'une valeur angulaire comprise entre 15 et 30° par rapport à la position de réglage fin.Finally, the free adjustment position of the selector is offset, in a circumferential direction, by an angular value of between 15 and 30 ° relative to the fine adjustment position, and the locking position is offset, in one direction. opposite circumferential, with an angular value between 15 and 30 ° with respect to the fine adjustment position.

D'autres avantages et caractéristiques de l'invention apparaîtront dans la description détaillée non limitative ci-dessous.Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear in the detailed non-limiting description below.

BRÈVE DESCRIPTION DES DESSINSBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Cette description sera faite au regard des dessins annexés parmi lesquels ;

  • la figure 1 représente une vue de face d'une pipette de prélèvement à déplacement d'air, selon l'invention ;
  • la figure 2 représente une vue en perspective d'une partie de la pipette montrée sur la figure précédente, comprenant un dispositif de verrouillage de la vis de réglage de volume, selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention ;
  • la figure 3 représente une vue en coupe d'une partie supérieure de la pipette montrée sur la figure précédente ;
  • la figure 4 représente une vue en perspective d'un compteur équipant la pipette montrée sur les figures précédentes ;
  • la figure 5 représente une vue en coupe longitudinale du compteur montré sur la figure précédente ;
  • la figure 6 représente une vue détaillée en perspective du système de maintien à crabotage équipant le dispositif de verrouillage montré sur la figure 2 ;
  • la figure 7 représente une vue en perspective d'une première roue dentée équipant le système de maintien à crabotage montré sur la figure précédente ;
  • la figure 8 représente une vue en perspective d'une seconde roue dentée équipant le système de maintien à crabotage montré sur la figure 6 ;
  • la figure 9 est une vue schématique de côté montrant la coopération entre les deux roues dentées montrées sur les figures 7 et 8 ;
  • la figure 10 représente une vue en perspective d'un organe de commande appartenant à un système de commande du dispositif de verrouillage montré sur la figure 3 ;
  • les figures 11a à 11c sont des vues en perspective montrant le système de commande, dans différentes positions ; et
  • la figure 12 représente une vue de dessus de la pipette montrée sur les figures précédentes.
This description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings, among which;
  • the figure 1 represents a front view of an air displacement sampling pipette, according to the invention;
  • the figure 2 represents a perspective view of part of the pipette shown in the previous figure, comprising a device for locking the volume adjustment screw, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
  • the figure 3 shows a sectional view of an upper part of the pipette shown in the previous figure;
  • the figure 4 represents a perspective view of a counter fitted to the pipette shown in the preceding figures;
  • the figure 5 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the counter shown in the previous figure;
  • the figure 6 represents a detailed perspective view of the dog clutch retention system fitted to the locking device shown on the figure 2 ;
  • the figure 7 shows a perspective view of a first toothed wheel fitted to the dog clutch holding system shown in the previous figure;
  • the figure 8 shows a perspective view of a second toothed wheel fitted to the dog clutch holding system shown on figure 6 ;
  • the figure 9 is a schematic side view showing the cooperation between the two toothed wheels shown on the figures 7 and 8 ;
  • the figure 10 shows a perspective view of a control member belonging to a control system of the locking device shown in the figure figure 3 ;
  • the figures 11a to 11c are perspective views showing the control system, in different positions; and
  • the figure 12 shows a top view of the pipette shown in the previous figures.

EXPOSÉ DÉTAILLÉ DE MODES DE RÉALISATION PRÉFÉRÉSDETAILED PRESENTATION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

En référence tout d'abord à la figure 1, il est représenté une pipette de prélèvement 1 manuelle et monocanal, selon l'invention. Néanmoins, l'invention n'est pas limitée à une telle pipette, mais elle s'applique de manière analogue aux pipettes multicanaux ou à tout autre système de pipetage, manuel, motorisé ou hybride.With reference first to the figure 1 , there is shown a manual and single-channel sampling pipette 1, according to the invention. However, the invention is not limited to such a pipette, but it applies in a similar manner to multichannel pipettes or to any other pipetting system, manual, motorized or hybrid.

La pipette 1 à déplacement d'air, ici manuelle, comprend en partie supérieure un corps formant poignée 2, ainsi qu'une partie basse 4 destinée à intégrer à son extrémité inférieure un embout porte-cône de prélèvement (non représenté). Cet embout est prévu pour porter un cône, également dénommé consommable et destiné à être éjecté de l'embout par un système d'éjecteur 6, une fois les opérations de pipetage achevées.The pipette 1 with air displacement, here manual, comprises in the upper part a body forming a handle 2, as well as a lower part 4 intended to integrate at its lower end a sampling cone holder tip (not shown). This tip is designed to carry a cone, also called consumable and intended to be ejected from the tip by an ejector system 6, once the pipetting operations have been completed.

Comme cela est visible sur les figures 1 à 3, la pipette 1 comporte un bouton de commande 8 destiné à être actionné par le pouce d'un opérateur, afin de réaliser les différentes opérations de pipetage comme le prélèvement du liquide, et sa dispense. Le bouton 8 est monté sur l'extrémité haute d'une tige de commande 10 destinée à être déplacée en translation durant les étapes de pipetage précitées, selon un axe central longitudinal 12 de la pipette. Le bouton 8 est couplé en rotation à la tige 10, de même que celle-ci présente une extrémité inférieure coopérant avec une vis de réglage de volume 14. Cette coopération est réalisée de telle sorte qu'une rotation de la tige de commande 10 entraîne une rotation de la vis 14 selon son propre axe, de préférence confondu avec l'axe central longitudinal 12 de la pipette.As can be seen on the figures 1 to 3 , the pipette 1 comprises a control button 8 intended to be actuated by the thumb of an operator, in order to carry out the various pipetting operations such as withdrawing the liquid, and its dispensation. The button 8 is mounted on the upper end of a control rod 10 intended to be moved in translation during the aforementioned pipetting steps, along a longitudinal central axis 12 of the pipette. The button 8 is rotatably coupled to the rod 10, just as the latter has a lower end cooperating with a volume adjustment screw 14. This cooperation is carried out such that a rotation of the control rod 10 causes a rotation of the screw 14 along its own axis, preferably coincident with the longitudinal central axis 12 of the pipette.

De manière connue, la rotation de la vis de réglage 14 provoque sa translation le long de l'axe 12, ou la translation d'une autre pièce, afin de déplacer axialement un piston logé dans une chambre d'aspiration de la partie basse 4 de la pipette. C'est l'ajustement de la position haute de ce piston qui permet d'influer sur le volume prélevé ultérieurement lors du pipetage.In known manner, the rotation of the adjustment screw 14 causes its translation along the axis 12, or the translation of another part, in order to axially move a piston housed in a suction chamber of the lower part 4 of the pipette. It is the adjustment of the high position of this piston which makes it possible to influence the volume withdrawn subsequently during pipetting.

Les figures 2 et 4 montrent que la vis de réglage de volume 14 entraîne en rotation un compteur 20, destiné à afficher la valeur du volume réglé à travers une fenêtre 7 (référencée sur la figure 1) de la poignée 2. Ce compteur 20 est ici un compteur à quatre chiffres, également dénommé « compteur à quatre digits ». Ce type de compteur procure une très grande précision en comparaison des compteurs comprenant moins de chiffres, par exemple par rapport à un compteur à trois chiffres seulement.The figures 2 and 4 show that the volume adjustment screw 14 rotates a counter 20, intended to display the value of the volume adjusted through a window 7 (referenced on the figure 1 ) of handle 2. This counter 20 is here a four-digit counter, also called a “four-digit counter”. This type of counter provides very high accuracy compared to counters comprising fewer digits, for example compared to a counter with only three digits.

Le compteur 20 comprend tout d'abord un système d'engrenages équipé d'une roue à dentée extérieure 22 centrée sur l'axe 12, directement entraînée en rotation par la vis de réglage 14. Cet entraînement s'effectue par exemple via un ergot en saillie vers l'intérieur à partir de la roue 22, et logé dans une rainure longitudinale 24 de la vis 14. Cette roue 22 engrène avec une autre roue excentrée 26 à denture extérieure, qui elle-même engrène avec une denture prévue sur un quatrième tambour 28d du compteur, renseignant sur le quatrième chiffre de volume réglé. Le quatrième tambour 28d, visible sur la figure 5, tourne à une vitesse élevée par rapport au bouton de commande, par exemple à une vitesse cinq fois supérieure.The counter 20 first of all comprises a gear system equipped with an external toothed wheel 22 centered on the axis 12, directly driven in rotation by the adjusting screw 14. This drive is carried out for example via a lug projecting inwardly from the wheel 22, and housed in a longitudinal groove 24 of the screw 14. This wheel 22 meshes with another eccentric wheel 26 with external toothing, which itself meshes with a toothing provided on a fourth drum 28d of the counter, providing information on the fourth set volume figure. The fourth drum 28d, visible on the figure 5 , rotates at a high speed relative to the control knob, for example at a speed five times higher.

Le compteur comporte également un premier tambour 28a, un second tambour 28b, ainsi qu'un troisième tambour 28c renseignant respectivement sur les premier, second, et troisième chiffres du volume réglé. Ces tambours 28a-28d sont superposés selon l'axe 12, et s'entraînent les uns les autres de façon connue, via des organes de transmission de mouvement 30.The counter also comprises a first drum 28a, a second drum 28b, as well as a third drum 28c providing information respectively on the first, second and third digits of the adjusted volume. These drums 28a-28d are superimposed along the axis 12, and train each other in a known manner, via movement transmission members 30.

La précision d'un tel compteur 20 est associée à la mise en œuvre d'un système spécifique à l'invention, permettant un maintien/blocage de la vis de réglage 14, une fois que celle-ci a été amenée dans la position précise conduisant à la valeur de volume souhaitée. Ce système 32, de nature à crabotage, permet également un déplacement aisé de la vis 14 entre différentes positions, lors de sa rotation effectuée pour changer la consigne de volume à prélever. Le système 32 se révèle particulièrement avantageux en ce qu'il permet d'aider l'opérateur à régler précisément le dernier chiffre du volume sur la valeur souhaitée, malgré la grande vitesse de rotation du quatrième tambour observée lors de la rotation du bouton de commande de la pipette. L'ergonomie de réglage du volume s'en trouve largement améliorée.The precision of such a counter 20 is associated with the implementation of a system specific to the invention, allowing the adjustment screw 14 to be held / locked, once the latter has been brought into the precise position. leading to the desired volume value. This system 32, of a clutch type, also allows easy movement of the screw 14 between different positions, when it is rotated to change the volume setpoint to be withdrawn. The system 32 proves to be particularly advantageous in that it enables the operator to help the operator to precisely set the last digit of the volume to the desired value, despite the high speed of rotation of the fourth drum observed during the rotation of the control knob. of the pipette. The volume adjustment ergonomics are greatly improved.

Le système 32 de maintien en position, visible sur les figures 2, 3 et 6, comprend globalement une première roue dentée 34 coopérant avec une seconde roue dentée 36, et un ressort de compression 38 rappelant l'une contre l'autre les deux roues coaxiales 34, 36 centrées sur l'axe 12.The system 32 for maintaining in position, visible on the figures 2 , 3 and 6 , generally comprises a first toothed wheel 34 cooperating with a second toothed wheel 36, and a compression spring 38 biasing against one another the two coaxial wheels 34, 36 centered on the axis 12.

La première roue 34, celle située le plus en haut sur la pipette, comporte des premières dents 40 qui s'étendent axialement vers le bas. Cette roue 34 est fixe en rotation par rapport à la poignée 2, via des ergots radiaux 42 espacés circonférentiellement et faisant saillie vers l'extérieur de la roue. Chaque ergot 42 est logé coulissant dans une rainure longitudinale 44 de la surface intérieure de la poignée 2, comme cela est schématisé pour l'une d'elles sur la figure 3. La première roue 34 demeure ainsi fixe en rotation dans la poignée 2, mais mobile en translation à l'intérieur de celle-ci, selon l'axe 12.The first wheel 34, the one located uppermost on the pipette, has first teeth 40 which extend axially downward. This wheel 34 is fixed in rotation with respect to the handle 2, via radial lugs 42 spaced circumferentially and projecting outwardly from the wheel. Each lug 42 is slidably housed in a longitudinal groove 44 of the inner surface of the handle 2, as shown diagrammatically for one of them on the figure 3 . The first wheel 34 thus remains fixed in rotation in the handle 2, but mobile in translation inside the latter, along the axis 12.

Sous la première roue 34, également dénommée roue de blocage, la seconde roue 36 comporte des secondes dents 46 qui s'étendent axialement vers le haut. Cette seconde roue 36 est portée par une bague 48, ou un fût, dont l'extrémité basse comprend un moyen de couplage en rotation 50 traversé par la vis de réglage 14. Le moyen 50 assure un couplage en rotation avec la vis 14 par complémentarité de forme, par exemple par la présence d'un méplat ou d'un élément similaire. La roue 36 demeure ainsi pilotée en rotation par la vis de réglage 14, et reste fixe en translation. Cette dernière particularité est obtenue en faisant reposer la bague 48 sur une butée basse 54 rapportée à l'intérieur de la poignée 2, et/ou en faisant reposer la roue 36 sur un épaulement intérieur 57 de cette poignée.Under the first wheel 34, also called the locking wheel, the second wheel 36 has second teeth 46 which extend axially upwards. This second wheel 36 is carried by a ring 48, or a barrel, the lower end of which comprises a rotational coupling means 50 traversed by the adjustment screw 14. The means 50 ensures a rotational coupling with the screw 14 by complementarity. shape, for example by the presence of a flat or a similar element. The wheel 36 thus remains controlled in rotation by the adjustment screw 14, and remains fixed in translation. This last feature is obtained by resting the ring 48 on a lower stop 54 attached to the inside of the handle 2, and / or by resting the wheel 36 on an inner shoulder 57 of this handle.

Le ressort 38 applique quant à lui une pression sur la partie supérieure de la première roue 34, via une extrémité basse de ressort logée dans une gorge supérieure de cette roue. L'effort axial développé par le ressort 38 tend ainsi la première roue 34 à se déplacer vers le bas et à se plaquer contre la seconde roue 36 qui reste fixe en translation, avec pour conséquence la mise en coopération des premières et secondes dents 40, 46.The spring 38, for its part, applies pressure to the upper part of the first wheel 34, via a lower end of the spring housed in an upper groove of this wheel. The axial force developed by the spring 38 thus tends the first wheel 34 to move downward and to press against the second wheel 36 which remains fixed in translation, with the consequence of bringing the first and second teeth 40 into cooperation, 46.

Une disposition préférée de ces dents va être décrite en référence aux figures 7 à 9.A preferred arrangement of these teeth will be described with reference to figures 7 to 9 .

Tout d'abord pour ce qui concerne la première roue 34, ses premières dents axiales 40 sont agencées au sein d'une unique rangée annulaire 56, qui est centrée sur l'axe 12 et de préférence continue sur 360°. Le nombre de dents 40 peut par exemple être de l'ordre de cinquante, avec un pas P régulier prévu entre ces mêmes dents 40.First of all as regards the first wheel 34, its first axial teeth 40 are arranged within a single annular row 56, which is centered on the axis 12 and preferably continuous over 360 °. The number of teeth 40 can for example be of the order of fifty, with a regular pitch P provided between these same teeth 40.

La seconde roue 36 comporte quant à elle deux rangées annulaires, ou bien un nombre supérieur de rangées. Néanmoins, dans le mode de réalisation préféré qui est décrit, ce nombre est fixé à deux rangées annulaires concentriques 58a, 58b, centrées sur l'axe 12.The second wheel 36 for its part comprises two annular rows, or else a greater number of rows. However, in the preferred embodiment which is described, this number is fixed to two concentric annular rows 58a, 58b, centered on the axis 12.

La première rangée 58a, correspondant à la rangée extérieure, est discontinue. Cela implique qu'elle est formée par des portions dentées 60a correspondant chacune à un arc de cercle pourvu de dents 46. Ces portions dentées 60a sont espacées circonférentiellement les unes des autres, de préférence de manière régulière. Entre celles-ci, il est prévu des portions non dentées 62a, correspondant à des portions évidées. A titre d'exemple, la première rangée annulaire 58a comporte quatre portions dentées 60a d'environ dix dents chacune, ainsi que quatre portions non dentées 62a présentant sensiblement la même étendue angulaire que les portions dentées 60a.The first row 58a, corresponding to the outer row, is discontinuous. This implies that it is formed by toothed portions 60a each corresponding to an arc of a circle provided with teeth 46. These toothed portions 60a are circumferentially spaced from one another, preferably in a regular manner. Between these, non-toothed portions 62a are provided, corresponding to recessed portions. By way of example, the first annular row 58a comprises four toothed portions 60a of approximately ten teeth each, as well as four non-toothed portions 62a having substantially the same angular extent as the toothed portions 60a.

De manière analogue, la seconde rangée 58b, correspondant à la rangée intérieure, est discontinue. Cela implique qu'elle est formée par des portions dentées 60b correspondant chacune à un arc de cercle pourvu de dents 46. Ces portions dentées 60b sont espacées circonférentiellement les unes des autres, de préférence de manière régulière. Entre celles-ci, il est prévu des portions non dentées 62b, correspondant à des portions évidées. A titre d'exemple, la seconde rangée annulaire 58b comporte quatre portions dentées 60b d'environ dix dents chacune, ainsi que quatre portions non dentées 62b présentant sensiblement la même étendue angulaire que les portions dentées 60b.Similarly, the second row 58b, corresponding to the inner row, is discontinuous. This implies that it is formed by toothed portions 60b each corresponding to an arc of a circle provided with teeth 46. These toothed portions 60b are circumferentially spaced from one another, preferably in a regular manner. Between these, non-toothed portions 62b are provided, corresponding to recessed portions. By way of example, the second annular row 58b comprises four toothed portions 60b of approximately ten teeth each, as well as four non-toothed portions 62b having substantially the same angular extent as the toothed portions 60b.

Comme cela est visible sur la figure 8, les portions dentées 60a, 60b sont agencées en décalage de phase, de sorte que chaque portion dentée 60a se trouve essentiellement en regard radialement d'une portion non dentée 62b de la seconde rangée 58b, de même que chaque portion dentée 60b se trouve essentiellement en regard radialement d'une portion non dentée 62a de la première rangée 58a.As can be seen on the figure 8 , the toothed portions 60a, 60b are arranged in phase shift, so that each toothed portion 60a is located essentially radially facing a non-toothed portion 62b of the second row 58b, just as each toothed portion 60b is located essentially radially facing a non-toothed portion 62a of the first row 58a.

Le pas entre les dents 46 de chaque portion dentée 60a, 60 est le même pas P que pour les dents 40 de la première roue 34.The pitch between the teeth 46 of each toothed portion 60a, 60 is the same pitch P as for the teeth 40 of the first wheel 34.

Aux extrémités de ces portions dentées 60a, 60b qui se recouvrent partiellement selon la direction radiale 55, il est formé des zones de recouvrement de dents, ces zones étant référencées 64 sur la figure 8.At the ends of these toothed portions 60a, 60b which partially overlap in the radial direction 55, tooth overlap zones are formed, these zones being referenced 64 on the figure. figure 8 .

Chaque zone de recouvrement 64 est formée par un secteur de recouvrement 66a correspondant à une extrémité de l'une des portions dentées 60a, ainsi que par un secteur de recouvrement 66b correspondant à une extrémité de l'une des portions dentées 60b. Les deux secteurs 66a, 66b sont ainsi en regard radialement l'un de l'autre, pour former l'une des zones de recouvrement 64 ici prévues au nombre de huit, espacées régulièrement les unes des autres. Le nombre de dents par secteur 66a, 66b est par exemple compris entre deux et cinq.Each overlap zone 64 is formed by an overlap sector 66a corresponding to one end of one of the toothed portions 60a, as well as by an overlap sector 66b corresponding to one end of one of the toothed portions 60b. The two sectors 66a, 66b are thus radially facing one another, to form one of the overlap zones 64 here provided eight in number, regularly spaced from one another. The number of teeth per sector 66a, 66b is for example between two and five.

Au sein de chaque zone de recouvrement 64, les dents 46 du secteur 66a sont décalées d'un demi-pas P/2 par rapport aux dents 46 du secteur 66b. Par conséquent, chaque première dent 40 qui se trouve en coopération avec l'une des zones de recouvrement 64 de la seconde roue 36, est ainsi au contact d'une part de l'une des dents 46 du secteur 66a de cette zone, et au contact d'autre part de l'une des dents 46 du secteur 66b de cette même zone de recouvrement 64. Cette particularité a été représentée sur la figure 9, ainsi que sur le bas de la figure 8 montrant schématiquement une première dent 40 en contact avec deux dents 46 directement consécutives selon la direction circonférentielle, et appartenant respectivement aux deux secteurs 66a, 66b.Within each overlap zone 64, the teeth 46 of the sector 66a are offset by a half pitch P / 2 with respect to the teeth 46 of the sector 66b. Consequently, each first tooth 40 which is in cooperation with one of the overlap zones 64 of the second wheel 36, is thus in contact on the one hand with one of the teeth 46 of the sector 66a of this zone, and in contact on the other hand with one of the teeth 46 of the sector 66b of this same overlap zone 64. This feature has been shown in the figure. figure 9 , as well as on the bottom of the figure 8 schematically showing a first tooth 40 in contact with two directly consecutive teeth 46 in the circumferential direction, and belonging respectively to the two sectors 66a, 66b.

Pour ce faire, la longueur radiale de chaque première dent 40 est par exemple sensiblement deux fois plus grande que la longueur radiale de chaque seconde dent 46, ce qui permet d'établir deux surfaces de contact 70a, 70b entre une première dent 40, et les deux dents 46 directement consécutives au sein de la zone de recouvrement 64. A cet égard, il est noté que ces surfaces 70a, 70b, visibles sur le bas de la figure 8, sont agencées sur la partie supérieure des dents 46. Cela s'explique par le décalage de phases pratiqué entre les dents 46 des deux secteurs 66a, 66b, qui a pour conséquence que les premières dents 40 ne pénètrent pas entièrement dans les creux formés entre les secondes dents 46.To do this, the radial length of each first tooth 40 is for example substantially twice as great as the radial length of each second tooth 46, which makes it possible to establish two contact surfaces 70a, 70b between a first tooth 40, and the two directly consecutive teeth 46 within the overlap zone 64. In this regard, it is noted that these surfaces 70a, 70b, visible on the bottom of the figure 8 , are arranged on the upper part of the teeth 46. This is explained by the phase shift practiced between the teeth 46 of the two sectors 66a, 66b, which has the consequence that the first teeth 40 do not fully penetrate into the hollows formed between the second teeth 46.

En fonctionnement, lorsque l'opérateur règle le volume souhaité via le bouton de commande 8, il entraîne la vis 14 qui elle-même provoque la rotation simultanée de la seconde roue 36. Le réglage du volume entre ses bornes inférieure et supérieure nécessite habituellement plusieurs tours du bouton de commande. Durant le mouvement de rotation de la seconde roue 36, les secondes dents 46 en mouvement exercent une force sur les premières dents 40 qui tend à repousser la première roue 34 axialement vers le haut, avant que celle-ci soit à nouveau forcée à se revenir vers le bas sous l'effet antagoniste du ressort 38. Ce mouvement de va-et-vient axial de la première roue de blocage 34 est observé à chaque passage d'une dent à une autre, et il permet au système 32 d'indexer la vis 14 dans un nombre de positions très élevé. Cela facilite l'exécution d'un réglage précis du volume souhaité. En particulier, au sein de chaque zone de recouvrement 64, le nombre de positions possibles pour une même première dent 40 relativement à la roue 46, correspond sensiblement au double du nombre de secondes dents 46 dans chaque secteur de recouvrement 66a, 66b formant cette zone 64. A titre indicatif, il est noté qu'au cours d'une rotation de 360° de la vis de réglage 14, celle-ci peut être indexée dans des dizaines de positions angulaires différentes, avec chacune de ces positions étant stable et précise, du fait d'une coopération à chaque fois différente entre les premières et secondes dents 40, 46.In operation, when the operator sets the desired volume via the control button 8, he drives the screw 14 which itself causes the simultaneous rotation of the second wheel 36. The volume adjustment between its lower and upper limits usually requires several turns of the control knob. During the rotational movement of the second wheel 36, the second moving teeth 46 exert a force on the first teeth 40 which tends to push the first wheel 34 axially upwards, before the latter is again forced to come back. downwards under the antagonistic effect of the spring 38. This axial reciprocating movement of the first locking wheel 34 is observed at each passage from one tooth to another, and it allows the system 32 to index the screw 14 in a very high number of positions. This makes it easy to perform precise adjustment of the desired volume. In particular, within each overlap zone 64, the number of possible positions for the same first tooth 40 relative to the wheel 46 corresponds substantially to double the number of second teeth 46 in each overlap sector 66a, 66b forming this zone 64. As an indication, it is noted that during a 360 ° rotation of the adjustment screw 14, the latter can be indexed in dozens of different angular positions, with each of these positions being stable and precise. , due to a cooperation that is different each time between the first and second teeth 40, 46.

La précision du réglage de volume est avantageusement accrue, sans que cela n'altère la facilité de fabrication des roues dentées 34, 36. Celles-ci peuvent par exemple aisément être réalisées par injection plastique, tout en conservant une qualité de dents satisfaisante.The precision of the volume adjustment is advantageously increased, without this affecting the ease of manufacture of the toothed wheels 34, 36. These can for example easily be produced by plastic injection, while maintaining a satisfactory quality of teeth.

A présent, il va être décrit en référence aux figures 3 et 10 à 12 l'une des particularités principales de l'invention, résidant dans l'association d'un système de commande 74 au système à crabotage 32 détaillé ci-dessus. Combinés, ces deux systèmes 32, 74 forment un dispositif de verrouillage 80 de la vis de réglage 14, ce dispositif 80 offrant de nombreuses fonctionnalités.Now, it will be described with reference to figures 3 and 10 to 12 one of the main features of the invention, residing in the association of a control system 74 with the clutch system 32 detailed above. Combined, these two systems 32, 74 form a locking device 80 of the adjustment screw 14, this device 80 offering numerous functions.

En référence plus précisément à la figure 3, le système de commande 74 comporte deux pièces distinctes, toutes les deux annulaires et superposées le long de l'axe 12 sur lequel elles sont centrées. Il s'agit tout d'abord d'un sélecteur de positions 82, conçu pour être déplacé en rotation selon l'axe 12 entre trois positions parmi lesquelles une position de réglage libre, une position de réglage fin, et enfin une position de verrouillage. Pour permettre ce déplacement dans les trois positions qui seront détaillées ci-après, le sélecteur 82 comporte une portion extérieure de préhension 84 en saillie axialement vers le haut par rapport à la poignée 2, et agencée autour de la tige de commande 10. Cette portion extérieure de préhension 84 se présente sous la forme d'une collerette pouvant être facilement agrippée par un opérateur, entre son pouce et son index.With specific reference to the figure 3 , the control system 74 comprises two distinct parts, both annular and superimposed along the axis 12 on which they are centered. It is first of all a position selector 82, designed to be moved in rotation along the axis 12 between three positions, including a free adjustment position, a fine adjustment position, and finally a locking position. . To allow this movement in the three positions which will be detailed below, the selector 82 comprises an outer gripping portion 84 projecting axially upwards with respect to the handle 2, and arranged around the control rod 10. This portion external grip 84 is in the form of a collar that can be easily gripped by an operator, between his thumb and index finger.

La portion 84 se poursuit par une partie intérieure 86 du sélecteur, réalisée d'un seul tenant avec la portion 84. La partie intérieure 86, logée dans la poignée 2, entoure une partie du ressort 38. A son extrémité basse, elle coopère avec l'autre pièce du système 74, à savoir un organe de commande annulaire 88 qui entoure les deux roues dentées 34, 36. Les deux pièces 82, 88 sont couplées l'une à l'autre en rotation, par le biais d'excroissances 90 sur une extrémité haute de l'organe de commande 88, logées dans des fentes axiales 92 sur l'extrémité basse du sélecteur 82. Les deux pièces 82, 88 sont agencées de manière à rester fixes en translation selon l'axe 12, tout en pouvant tourner ensemble autour de ce même axe.The portion 84 continues with an inner part 86 of the selector, made in one piece with the portion 84. The inner part 86, housed in the handle 2, surrounds a part of the spring 38. At its lower end, it cooperates with the other part of the system 74, namely an annular control member 88 which surrounds the two toothed wheels 34, 36. The two parts 82, 88 are coupled to one another in rotation, by means of protuberances 90 on a top end of the control member 88, housed in axial slots 92 on the bottom end of the selector 82. The two parts 82, 88 are arranged so as to remain fixed in translation along the axis 12, while by being able to rotate together around the same axis.

L'organe de commande 88 coopère avec la première roue dentée 34, constituant la roue de blocage du système à crabotage 32. Cette coopération s'effectue via les ergots radiaux 42, qui traversent radialement l'organe de commande 88 afin que leurs extrémités extérieures se logent de façon coulissante dans les rainures longitudinales 44 de la poignée 2.The control member 88 cooperates with the first toothed wheel 34, constituting the locking wheel of the clutch system 32. This cooperation takes place via the radial lugs 42, which pass radially through the control member 88 so that their outer ends are slidably housed in the longitudinal grooves 44 of the handle 2.

Chaque ergot radial 42 est associé à une piste de l'organe de commande 88, en étant plaqué contre cette piste via le ressort 38 qui agit sur la roue dentée 34 portant ces ergots. Le nombre d'ergots radiaux 42 étant de quatre, il est ainsi prévu quatre pistes sur l'organe de commande 88, comme cela est représenté sur la figure 10. En effet, chacune des quatre pistes 94 s'étend sur un secteur angulaire de l'organe 88 qui est légèrement inférieur à 90°. Ces quatre pistes 94 présentent ainsi des formes identiques, et sont prévues pour coopérer de manière identique avec leurs ergots associés, de manière simultanée. Pour cette raison, la forme d'une seule de ces pistes 94 sera décrite ci-après.Each radial lug 42 is associated with a track of the control member 88, being pressed against this track via the spring 38 which acts on the toothed wheel 34 carrying these lugs. The number of radial pins 42 being four, there are thus provided four tracks on the control member 88, as shown in the figure. figure 10 . Indeed, each of the four tracks 94 extends over an angular sector of the member 88 which is slightly less than 90 °. These four tracks 94 thus have identical shapes, and are designed to cooperate in an identical manner with their associated lugs, simultaneously. For this reason, the shape of only one of these tracks 94 will be described below.

La piste 94 débute par une première portion de piste 94a, correspondant à la portion de la piste située la plus haute dans la direction axiale. Vers la droite sur la figure 10, il est ensuite prévu une seconde portion de piste 94b, qui est décalée axialement de la première portion de piste 94a, en étant située plus bas. Une zone de transition 94' est agencée entre les deux portions 94a, 94b, cette zone de transition 94' prenant la forme d'une pente s'inclinant vers le bas en allant de la première portion de piste 94a, vers la seconde portion de piste 94b.Track 94 begins with a first portion of track 94a, corresponding to the highest portion of the track in the axial direction. To the right on the figure 10 , there is then provided a second portion of track 94b, which is axially offset from the first portion of track 94a, being located lower. A transition zone 94 'is arranged between the two portions 94a, 94b, this transition zone 94 'taking the form of a slope inclining downwards going from the first portion of track 94a, towards the second portion of track 94b.

Enfin, vers la droite à partir de la seconde portion de piste 94b, il est prévu une troisième portion de piste 94c, qui se situe axialement au même niveau et dans la continuité de la seconde portion 94b. Un élément de butée 95 est agencé en regard axialement de la troisième portion de piste 94c, en étant porté par l'organe de commande 88. Avec cette troisième portion de piste 94c, l'élément de butée 95 forme une fente 96 ouverte circonférentiellement du côté où se situe la seconde portion 94b. Du côté opposé, la fente est fermée par un fond de fente 97. Par conséquent, cette configuration prend la forme d'un crochet ouvert circonférentiellement en direction de la seconde portion de piste 94b.Finally, to the right from the second portion of track 94b, there is provided a third portion of track 94c, which is located axially at the same level and in the continuity of the second portion 94b. A stop element 95 is arranged axially facing the third track portion 94c, being carried by the control member 88. With this third track portion 94c, the stop element 95 forms a slot 96 open circumferentially of the side where the second portion 94b is located. On the opposite side, the slot is closed by a slot bottom 97. Consequently, this configuration takes the form of a hook open circumferentially towards the second track portion 94b.

En référence à présent plus spécifiquement aux figures 11a à 11c, le dispositif de verrouillage 80 est représenté dans différentes positions. Tout d'abord, la figure 11a représente le sélecteur 82 dans une position de réglage libre, amenant les ergots radiaux 42 sur les premières portions de piste 94a. Ainsi, cette première portion 94a maintient la roue de blocage 34 vers le haut, dans une position écartée axialement de la seconde roue dentée. Cet écartement axial s'opère en s'opposant à l'effort développé par le ressort 38 sur cette même roue dentée de blocage 34, de sorte que les premières et secondes dents ne coopèrent pas les unes avec les autres comme cela avait décrit en référence à la figure 9. Dans cette position, puisque les dents n'opposent plus de résistance à la rotation de la vis de réglage de volume 14, une grande plage de volume peut être balayée, sans efforts particuliers de la part de l'opérateur. L'ergonomie du réglage de volume s'en trouve avantageusement améliorée.Referring now more specifically to figures 11a to 11c , the locking device 80 is shown in different positions. First of all, the figure 11a shows the selector 82 in a free adjustment position, bringing the radial lugs 42 onto the first portions of track 94a. Thus, this first portion 94a maintains the locking wheel 34 upwards, in a position axially separated from the second toothed wheel. This axial separation takes place by opposing the force developed by the spring 38 on this same locking toothed wheel 34, so that the first and second teeth do not cooperate with each other as described in reference. to the figure 9 . In this position, since the teeth no longer offer resistance to the rotation of the volume adjustment screw 14, a large volume range can be swept away, without special efforts on the part of the operator. The ergonomics of the volume control are thereby advantageously improved.

En référence ensuite à la figure 11b, il est représenté le sélecteur 82 dans une position de réglage fin, amenant les ergots radiaux 42 sur les secondes portions de piste 94b. Le ressort 38, qui plaque les ergots 42 contre la seconde portion de piste 94b située plus basse axialement, place la roue de blocage 34 en coopération avec la seconde roue dentée. Les premières et secondes dents de ces roues coopèrent entre elles, et des passages d'une dent à une autre se produisent suite à la rotation de la vis 14, dans le cadre d'un réglage précis et ergonomique. C'est dans cette position de réglage que le principe de passage d'une dent à une autre, tel que présenté en référence aux figures 7 à 9, se produit. En effet, l'organe de commande 88 autorise la roue de blocage 34 à s'écarter puis à se rapprocher axialement de la seconde roue lors d'un passage d'une dent à une autre provoqué par la rotation de cette seconde roue, étant donné que les ergots 42 sont libres de se déplacer axialement vers haut avec la roue de blocage 34.With reference then to the figure 11b , there is shown the selector 82 in a fine adjustment position, bringing the radial lugs 42 on the second track portions 94b. The spring 38, which presses the lugs 42 against the axially lower second track portion 94b, places the locking wheel 34 in cooperation with the second toothed wheel. The first and second teeth of these wheels cooperate with each other, and passages from one tooth to another occur following the rotation of the screw 14, as part of a precise and ergonomic adjustment. It is in this adjustment position that the principle of switching from one tooth to another, as presented with reference to figures 7 to 9 , occurs. Indeed, the control member 88 allows the locking wheel 34 to move away and then to move axially closer to the second wheel during a passage from one tooth to another caused by the rotation of this second wheel, being given that the lugs 42 are free to move axially upwards with the locking wheel 34.

En référence enfin à la figure 11c, il est représenté le sélecteur 82 dans une position de verrouillage, amenant les ergots radiaux 42 sur les troisièmes portions de piste 94c. Plus précisément, chaque ergot 42 est logé axialement entre la troisième portion de piste 94c sur laquelle il est forcé en appui par le ressort 38, et l'élément de butée axiale 95, afin d'être prisonnier axialement dans la fente 96. Les éléments de butée 95 bloquent donc tout déplacement axial vers le haut des ergots 42 et de la roue de blocage associée 34, interdisant de ce fait tout désengagement des premières et secondes dents. Par conséquent, le volume réglé ne peut être modifié. Cette position de verrouillage est préférentiellement adoptée durant les opérations de pipetage, afin d'éviter que l'opérateur ne change accidentellement le volume cible par rotation du bouton de commande, sur lequel son pouce est en appui.Finally, referring to the figure 11c , the selector 82 is shown in a locked position, bringing the radial lugs 42 onto the third track portions 94c. More precisely, each lug 42 is housed axially between the third portion of track 94c on which it is forced to bear by the spring 38, and the axial stop element 95, so as to be axially captive in the slot 96. The elements stop 95 therefore block any axial upward movement of the lugs 42 and of the associated locking wheel 34, thereby preventing any disengagement of the first and second teeth. Therefore, the set volume cannot be changed. This locking position is preferably adopted during pipetting operations, in order to prevent the operator from accidentally changing the target volume by rotating the control button, on which his thumb is resting.

Les trois positions sont ainsi sélectionnées de manière appropriée par l'opérateur, en fonction du réglage souhaité. Par exemple, le début du réglage peut être effectué en position de réglage libre pour balayer sans efforts une grande plage de volume, puis à l'approche de la valeur cible, la position de réglage fin peut être adoptée de manière à facilement atteindre cette valeur précise. Une fois celle-ci atteinte, le sélecteur peut alors être placé en position de verrouillage, afin d'éviter tout changement accidentel de volume cible, durant les opérations ultérieures de pipetage.The three positions are thus selected appropriately by the operator, depending on the desired setting. For example, the start of tuning can be done in the free tuning position to effortlessly sweep a large volume range, and then when approaching the target value, the fine tuning position can be adopted so as to easily reach this value. precise. Once this is reached, the selector can then be placed in the locked position, in order to avoid any accidental change of target volume, during subsequent pipetting operations.

En référence à la figure 12, il est montré que la pipette 1 peut être équipée d'un système permettant d'informer visuellement l'opérateur de la position du sélecteur 82. Pour ce faire, la surface extérieure de la poignée 2 ou la portion extérieure de préhension 84 de sélecteur 82 présente un curseur 98, tandis que l'autre de ces deux éléments présente trois repères 99 schématisant respectivement les trois positions possibles. C'est l'alignement du curseur 98 avec l'un des repères 99 qui permet à l'opérateur de déterminer la position dans laquelle se trouve le sélecteur 82. A cet égard, il est noté que la position de réglage libre du sélecteur 82 se trouve décalée d'une valeur angulaire comprise entre 15 et 30° par rapport à la position de réglage fin située au centre. De même, dans le sens circonférentiel opposé, la position de verrouillage se trouve décalée d'une valeur angulaire comprise entre 15 et 30° par rapport à la position de réglage fin. Ces valeurs angulaires sont par exemple de l'ordre de 20°, correspondant au déplacement angulaire que l'opérateur doit faire subir au sélecteur 82, afin de passer de la position centrale de réglage fin à l'une des deux positions d'extrémité de réglage libre ou de verrouillage.With reference to the figure 12 , it is shown that the pipette 1 can be equipped with a system making it possible to visually inform the operator of the position of the selector 82. To do this, the outer surface of the handle 2 or the outer grip portion 84 of the selector 82 has a cursor 98, while the other of these two elements has three references 99 respectively schematizing the three possible positions. It is the alignment of the cursor 98 with one of the marks 99 which allows the operator to determine the position in which the selector 82 is located. In this regard, it is noted that the free adjustment position of the selector 82 is offset by an angular value between 15 and 30 ° from the fine adjustment position in the center. Likewise, in the opposite circumferential direction, the locking position is offset by an angular value of between 15 and 30 ° with respect to the fine adjustment position. These angular values are for example of the order of 20 °, corresponding to the angular displacement that the operator must subject to the selector 82, in order to pass from the central fine adjustment position to one of the two end positions of free adjustment or locking.

Enfin, en plus des repères 99, l'opérateur est averti du passage du sélecteur 82 dans chacune des trois positions par des clics, qui sont obtenus de manière classique par des coopérations de forme entre la poignée 2 et le sélecteur 82.Finally, in addition to the marks 99, the operator is warned of the passage of the selector 82 in each of the three positions by clicks, which are obtained in a conventional manner by form cooperation between the handle 2 and the selector 82.

Bien entendu, diverses modifications peuvent être apportées par l'homme du métier à l'invention qui vient d'être décrite, uniquement à titre d'exemples non limitatifs, et dont la portée est définie par les revendications annexées. Par exemple au sein du système de maintien 32 à crabotage, des modifications pourraient être apportées pour placer les rangées annulaires multiples sur la première roue, et non sur la seconde roue dentée qui ne présenterait alors plus qu'une seule rangée annulaire de dents. Alternativement, les deux roues dentées pourraient chacune présenter une unique rangée annulaire de dents, sans sortir du cadre de l'invention.Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to the invention which has just been described, solely by way of nonlimiting examples, and the scope of which is defined by the appended claims. For example, within the clutch system 32, modifications could be made to place the multiple annular rows on the first wheel, and not on the second toothed wheel which would then only have a single annular row of teeth. Alternatively, the two toothed wheels could each have a single annular row of teeth, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (15)

  1. A locking device (80) for locking a volume adjustment screw (14) for a pipetting system (1), the locking device being characterised in that it comprises:
    on the one hand a ring dogging system (32) for holding the position of the adjustment screw (14), the system (32) including:
    - a first toothed wheel (34) comprising first teeth (40);
    - a second toothed wheel (36) comprising second teeth (46), said first toothed wheel being a lock wheel for being rotatably fixed with respect to a fixed piece (2) of the pipetting system, and the second wheel (36) for being rotatably integral with the adjustment screw (14), or vice versa;
    - elastic return means (38) capable of returning the first and second wheels (34, 36) against each other in order to make the first teeth (40) cooperate with the second teeth (46),
    and on the other hand a control system (74) for controlling the holding ring dogging system (32), the control system (74) including:
    - a position selector (82) designed to be rotatably moved along a longitudinal central axis (12) of the pipetting system, between three positions including a free adjustment position, a fine adjustment position, and a locking position;
    - a control member (88) rotatably integral with the position selector (82), the control member cooperating with said lock wheel (34) of the ring dogging system such that:
    a) when the selector (82) is in the free adjustment position, the control member (88) holds the lock wheel (34) axially away from the other wheel (36) of the ring dogging system, by opposing the force developed by the elastic return means (38), such that the first and second teeth (40, 46) do not cooperate with each other;
    b) when the selector (82) is in the fine adjustment position, the control member (88) allows the lock wheel (34) to axially move away from and then closer to the other wheel (36) when shifting from a tooth to another caused by the rotation of this other wheel; and
    c) when the selector (82) is in the locking position, the control member (88) axially locks said lock wheel (34) so as to prohibit disengagement of the first and second teeth (40, 46).
  2. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the lock wheel (34) includes at least one radial lug (42) projecting outwardly, and in that the control member (88) includes at least one track (94) associated with each radial lug (42), the elastic return means (38) forcing the radial lug to bear against its associated track, the latter comprising:
    - a first track portion (94a) cooperating with the radial lug when the selector is in the free adjustment position;
    - a second track portion (94b) cooperating with the radial lug when the selector is in the fine adjustment position, the second track portion being axially offset from the first track portion within the control member (88); and
    - a third track portion (94c) cooperating with the radial lug when the selector is in the locking position, a stop element (95) provided on the control member (88) being arranged axially facing the third track portion (94c), such that the radial lug (42) is axially located between this stop element (95), and the third track portion (94c).
  3. The device according to claim 2, characterised in that the first, second and third track portions (94a, 94b, 94c) are arranged in this order along a circumferential direction.
  4. The device according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterised in that the track (94) includes a slope-shaped transition zone (94') between the first and second track portions (94a, 94b), and in that the second track portion is axially located at the same level as the third track portion (94c).
  5. The device according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the stop element (95) forms, with the third track portion (95), a slot (96) circumferentially open on the side of the second track portion (94b), and closed on the opposite side by a slot bottom (97).
  6. The device according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the control member includes several tracks (94) circumferentially spaced from each other, each cooperating with a radial lug (42) of the lock wheel (34).
  7. The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control member (88) is annular.
  8. The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control member (88) and the selector (82) are made as a single piece, or by two distinct rotatably coupled pieces.
  9. The device according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that
    said second teeth (46) of the second wheel (36) form a number N of concentric annular rows (58a, 58b), the number N being an integer higher than or equal to 2 and each row being possibly discontinuous,
    said second wheel (36) has at least one teeth covering zone (64) in which the N annular rows (58a, 58b) of second teeth respectively have N covering sectors (66a, 66b) which cover each other along a radial direction (55) of the second wheel, and
    the second teeth (46) of the N covering sectors are angularly offset from each other such that at least one of the first teeth (40) of the first toothed wheel (34) can be in several relative positions with respect to the second wheel (36), in each of which this first tooth (40) is in contact with one of the second teeth (46) of one of the N sectors (66a) and in contact with one of second teeth (46) of another of these N sectors (66b).
  10. A pipetting system (1) comprising a volume adjustment screw (14), as well as a locking device (80) for locking this screw, according to any of the preceding claims.
  11. The system according to claim 10, characterised in that it includes a four-digit counter (20).
  12. The system according to claim 10 or claim 11, characterised in that the position selector (82) has an external gripping portion (84) arranged about a control rod (10) for controlling the pipetting system.
  13. The system according to any of claims 10 to 12, characterised in that it is designed to warn of the selector (82) shifting to each of its three positions, preferably by clicks.
  14. The pipetting system according to any of claims 10 to 13, combined to claim 2, characterised in that each radial lug (42) of the lock wheel radially passes through the control member (88) of the control system, to be slidably housed in a corresponding longitudinal groove (44) of the fixed piece (2) of the pipetting system.
  15. The pipetting system according to any of claims 10 to 14, characterised in that the free adjustment position of the selector (82) is offset, in a circumferential direction, by an angular value between 15 and 30° with respect to the fine adjustment position, and in that the locking position is offset, in an opposite circumferential direction, by an angular value between 15 and 30° with respect to the fine adjustment position.
EP19742820.4A 2018-04-17 2019-04-12 Device for locking a volume adjustment screw for a pipetting system Active EP3749456B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL19742820T PL3749456T3 (en) 2018-04-17 2019-04-12 Device for locking a volume adjustment screw for a pipetting system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1853368A FR3080050B1 (en) 2018-04-17 2018-04-17 DEVICE FOR LOCKING A VOLUME ADJUSTMENT SCREW FOR A PIPETTING SYSTEM
PCT/FR2019/050877 WO2019202246A1 (en) 2018-04-17 2019-04-12 Device for locking a volume adjustment screw for a pipetting system

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EP3749456A1 EP3749456A1 (en) 2020-12-16
EP3749456B1 true EP3749456B1 (en) 2021-12-22

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US (1) US11559800B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3749456B1 (en)
JP (1) JP7378418B2 (en)
KR (1) KR20200143395A (en)
CN (1) CN111989160B (en)
CA (1) CA3092906A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2907998T3 (en)
FR (1) FR3080050B1 (en)
PL (1) PL3749456T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2019202246A1 (en)

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EP4234086A1 (en) 2022-02-25 2023-08-30 Eppendorf SE Pipette with adjustable volume of pipette and locking system

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PL3778028T3 (en) * 2019-08-15 2022-03-07 Eppendorf Ag Pipette with adjustable volume

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP4234086A1 (en) 2022-02-25 2023-08-30 Eppendorf SE Pipette with adjustable volume of pipette and locking system
DE102022104546A1 (en) 2022-02-25 2023-08-31 Eppendorf Se Pipette with adjustable pipetting volume and locking system

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FR3080050B1 (en) 2020-03-27
JP7378418B2 (en) 2023-11-13
CA3092906A1 (en) 2019-10-24
CN111989160A (en) 2020-11-24
WO2019202246A1 (en) 2019-10-24
FR3080050A1 (en) 2019-10-18
ES2907998T3 (en) 2022-04-27
EP3749456A1 (en) 2020-12-16
US20210162399A1 (en) 2021-06-03
CN111989160B (en) 2022-02-11
JP2021520990A (en) 2021-08-26
US11559800B2 (en) 2023-01-24
PL3749456T3 (en) 2022-04-11
KR20200143395A (en) 2020-12-23

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